The gray wolf was extirpated from Colorado by the 1940s in an ill-advised effort to protect livestock and the game-hunting industry. Today, following their reintroduction in Idaho and Wyoming, conservationists are proposing a ballot initiative to establish a similar program in Colorado, the only Rocky Mountain State without a viable wolf population.
As one might expect, most hunters and ranchers oppose the initiative and have found an ally in the Colorado Division of Wildlife. While human efforts to engineer natural ecosystems are often met with unintended consequences, Colorado has a poorly-controlled elk population and a rapidly growing number of reintroduced moose; to support game species without providing natural predation creates an imbalance in the ecosystem. Furthermore, wolf predation on livestock has been minimal in Idaho and Wyoming and compensation programs are utilized.
While a few wolves have wandered into Colorado from Wyoming, a viable population is not likely to become established here without both protection and reintroduction. In my opinion, humans damaged the ecosystem when wolves were removed and re-establishing a healthy ecosystem will require their return. Wolves, unlike human hunters, kill aging, injured and sick elk and deer. They are naturally wary of humans and keep other predator populations (i.e. coyotes) in check. From what I observed at Yellowstone, I believe most citizens would welcome a thoughtful and gradual reintroduction plan in Colorado; those who want to learn more and wish to support the effort are advised to contact the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project.
As one might expect, most hunters and ranchers oppose the initiative and have found an ally in the Colorado Division of Wildlife. While human efforts to engineer natural ecosystems are often met with unintended consequences, Colorado has a poorly-controlled elk population and a rapidly growing number of reintroduced moose; to support game species without providing natural predation creates an imbalance in the ecosystem. Furthermore, wolf predation on livestock has been minimal in Idaho and Wyoming and compensation programs are utilized.
While a few wolves have wandered into Colorado from Wyoming, a viable population is not likely to become established here without both protection and reintroduction. In my opinion, humans damaged the ecosystem when wolves were removed and re-establishing a healthy ecosystem will require their return. Wolves, unlike human hunters, kill aging, injured and sick elk and deer. They are naturally wary of humans and keep other predator populations (i.e. coyotes) in check. From what I observed at Yellowstone, I believe most citizens would welcome a thoughtful and gradual reintroduction plan in Colorado; those who want to learn more and wish to support the effort are advised to contact the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project.
